The topics for this Sunday’s edition of the CBS news program “60 Minutes” were revealed on Thursday and noticeably absent from the list was a feature on online poker. CBS News cameras have been scouring the poker community for information on the Ultimate Bet and Absolute Poker scandals as well as the recent developments in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, where Governor Steve Beshear has tried to thwart internet gambling by forcing the forfeiture of domain names. The feature had been rumored to air this Sunday, October 26th.
Instead, the long-running news program will present the following three stories, which were posted on the television station’s website late Thursday afternoon:
CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS – Steve Kroft examines the complicated financial instruments known as credit default swaps and the central role they are playing in the unfolding economic crisis. L. Franklin Devine is the producer.
T. BOONE PICKENS – The oil and gas maven is on a mission to lessen America’s dependence on foreign oil. Charlie Rose reports. Michael Radutzky and Tanya Simon are the producers.
GORONGOSA – American Greg Carr is using his great wealth to try to help some of the poorest people in Africa by attracting more tourists to their neighborhood – the beautiful national park of Gorongosa in Mozambique. Scott Pelley reports. Rebecca Peterson and Henry Schuster are the producers.
Sunday, November 2nd or November 9th may be more appropriate dates to air the story. Online poker has been embattled in Congress, where several bills aiming to legalize and regulate the industry lie unresolved. November 9th marks the resumption of the World Series of Poker Main Event final table, which plays out on Sunday and Monday and will air on Tuesday on ESPN. Harrah’s officials have been interviewed for “60 Minutes” and the WSOP is the most visible poker event in the world.
We’ll keep you posted right here on Poker News Daily. A request for comment by “60 Minutes” left on a voice mail earlier in the day was not returned as of press time.
